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Lubbock police officer 'thrilled' by community support at fundraiser

Varner said he and his family were very happy with the support they received from the community

Charissa Barber, left, puts money in a donation jar during a fundraising cookout for Lubbock police Officer Timothy Varner. Barber, a University Medical Center nurse, organized the event to support Varner while he is on medical leave. Varner was wounded in the line of duty Oct. 12

Varner

His left arm still in a sling, Timothy Varner visited with fellow Lubbock police officers during a fundraiser in his honor Thursday, Oct. 24, at a University Medical Center parking lot.

Varner said he and his family were very happy with the support they received from the community.

More than 650 meals of hamburgers or hotdogs were served at the fundraiser cookout at the UMC emergency room south parking lot, according to organizers. UMC employees as well as other first responder representatives served the meals for $5 a plate.

Charissa Barber, a UMC nurse who led the effort to organize the fundraiser, said the region’s first responders and hospital employees rallied for the event.

Barber said she considers the region’s first responders and hospital employees to be a family.

Barber, who met Varner for the first time at the event, said she was inspired to put on the fundraiser after learning Varner took on plenty of overtime hours to provide for his family. She said money from the event will go to the Varner family while he is on medical leave.

“They were just very grateful and I’m equally as grateful,” she said.

Varner was wounded in the line of duty about two weeks ago while responding to a report of an armed man at the Salvation Army shelter in downtown Lubbock.

“We’re thrilled to see so much people giving their support,” he said. “Everyone involved did a great job setting it up.”

Cole Barron, a Lubbock police officer, was at the event to show his support for his fellow officer.

“It’s a brotherhood,” he said. “So we all come together.”

He said the event’s turnout shows how supportive the community is for its police officers.

“It’s great that the community came out and showed their support,” said Barron, who has been with the department for about seven years. “You don’t always see that.”

Jeremy Moor, a 31-year-old Salvation Army shelter resident, shot Varner multiple times in the shoulder and legs, according to police. Varner fired back, wounding Moor.

Moor was released from the hospital Oct. 13 and is being held at the Lubbock County Detention Center. His bond is set at $750,000.